Huntsman to boycott Nevada caucus

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman said Thursday he will boycott the Nevada caucuses, saying the state is holding its contest too early in the year.

The former Utah governor says Nevada's move to early January threatens to disrupt the timing of the New Hampshire primary, which by New Hampshire state law must be held one week before any other "similar contest," The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

"In an effort to preserve New Hampshire's historic first-in-the-nation primary status, the Huntsman campaign will boycott the Nevada caucus as long as the state continues to jeopardize New Hampshire's primary date," Campaign Manager Matt David said. "We call on the other campaigns to join us, especially Gov. [Mitt] Romney's campaign, given their involvement in moving Nevada's date forward."

Romney's campaign has not claimed involvement in pushing forward the Nevada contest, The New York Times reported.

Romney is expected to fare better in Nevada than Huntsman, who has struggled in the polls and with raising money, the newspaper said.